CarComplaints.com Notes: In a very limited selection on small pickup trucks, the Frontier is one of the best options except -- and I cannot emphasize this enough -- for one problem that makes it an avoid-at-all-costs pain in you know what: the radiator ruptures and leaks coolant into the transmission, killing it. Such a buzzkill.

This problem affects most 2005-2008 (and maybe beyond) Frontiers.

9.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,790
Average Mileage:
104,000 miles
Total Complaints:
189 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace radiator and transmission (122 reports)
  2. not sure (22 reports)
  3. replace radiator and transmission due to oil contaminati (14 reports)
  4. replace transmission (7 reports)
  5. fix it and compensate owners for full expense (5 reports)
  6. extended warranty announced by Nissan on 10/15/10 (4 reports)
2005 Nissan Frontier transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Nissan Frontier Owner Comments (Page 5 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #109

Apr 022014

Frontier LE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This problem is well-documented, so I won't go into details about the background. Bottom line - Nissan is aware that this is a defect inherent to these trucks. The defect directly causes MAJOR issues that cost a third of the new price of the truck to have fixed properly. And they have done little about it. The TSB response is a joke. There should be no tiered copay structure. If a customer experiences the issue, at any mileage, it should be paid for. If it is such a small percentage of people that are affected, then this policy would cost the company very little. However, they know that MOST trucks will fail, and are protecting their wallets with this meager attempt at appeasing customers.

- William C., Pensacola, FL, US

problem #108

Apr 022014

Frontier LS 4.0L. V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

Bought this Nissan April of last year for my son in high school and one year later all this crap happened. Thought it may be a sensor, than I took radiator cap off and there was oil in the top of it. Changed the radiator, that cost me $212, and flushed the transmission with $150 worth of transmission fluid, No Luck. Finally took this junk to trans shop and transmission man wouldn't rebuild because of the amount of water in it. $4300 for manufacture rebuilt. Would not own another Nissan product.

Buyer beware. They don't stand behind their products, even knowing that they may be a defective product on them.

- Jerry D., Trumann, AR, US

problem #107

Mar 282014

Frontier King Cab V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 161,000 miles

I only have 2 vehichles and my wife and I both work. Of course I can't drive it so I had to lease a vehicle. A local garage is checking on another transmission but it is going to be very costly. I have had nothing but trouble with this truck since I purchased it. The first week I had it it had to go back to the garage and it took a month until I got it back. It was under the 1 month warranty at that time. The truck looks nice but I would never buy another and I would discourage anyone else from buying one.

- Richard B., Alum Bank, PA, US

problem #106

Feb 222014

Frontier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Is there any hope Nissan is going to pay for repairs and is there a class action law suit I can join?

- dteddy, Osburn, ID, US

problem #105

Mar 072014

Frontier CC Nismo 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Nissan knew this was a defect in the radiator and needs to step up fixing the cars.

Thought I am eligible for the 3K fix, a lot of people cannot afford that. Nissan do the right thing.

Once fixed, I will drive the truck into the ground but I will never buy another Nissan product ever!! Ever!!

- bigeyeduck, Portland, OR, US

problem #104

Feb 142014

Frontier LE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,840 miles

Because there is a coolant-leak problem, which it blamed on an internal crack on the oil cooler tube.I have to pay $2500 as part of an extended warranty deal that Nissan made in order to settle.(Unlucky me: I was 2 months over 8 years and 840 miles over 80,000 so I must pay the $2500 as part of a copay). I am looking at a new tranny and a new radiator.So not fair. This was a manufacturing problem not normal wear and tear and certainly nopt owner error.

The following is a copy of their extended warranty:

Radiator Assembly Warranty Extension

Nissan previously extended the Nissan New Vehicle Limited Warranty for the Radiator Assembly for certain MY 2005-2010 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles to 8 years/80,000 miles (whichever occurs first). All other warranty terms, limitations and conditions otherwise apply.

Nissan is pleased to announce an additional extension of the coverage of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty on the radiator assembly, subject to certain customer co-pays that vary with age/mileage above 8 years/80,000 miles, to 10 years/100,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

- scontois, Winchendon, MA, US

problem #103

Dec 012013

Frontier SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It's really unfortunate that the customers are forced to pay this massive amount for a problem that's KNOWINGLY widespread with these vehicles. I could see if this problem only occurred with improper maintenance, but this is occurring even with well maintained vehicles. So we constantly have to shell out money to maintain parts that are just going to breakdown at less than 100k miles anyway. Seems like they should have just told us to save that money because you will have to replace that transmission and radiator soon, anyway. Really unfortunate.

- linwood, Durham, NC, US

problem #102

Dec 172013

Frontier SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles

I have not got it fixed but, I am sure it will be $2,000 and Nissan knows it is a issue.

- cjgray, Anderson, CA, US

problem #101

Dec 132010

Frontier LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

I went to dealer because trans. was shifting really hard & radiator was always low. They changed the fluid & flushed the radiator, a few months later & now out of Warranty the same problems showed up again only this time I had to have the radiator replaced & the transmission rebuilt.

- pwagner, Frazier Park, CA, US

problem #100

Dec 162013

Frontier SE 4.0L V6 4x4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,576 miles

I was rear ended and the truck was in the shop for a month to replace the frame. The auto body shop reassured me that the vehicle repair was covered under a lifetime warranty as long as I owned the vehicle when I asked them what mechanical components would be affected?

The vehicle drove fine to and from work until about 300 miles later when my transmission failed on the interstate. I had it towed back to the auto body shop where the repairs were done and they called it a "horrible coincidence" and wouldn't pay for the repair. The transmission shop determined that this was just like every other Frontier, XTerra and Pathfinder they see and found there was coolant in the transmission. Cost to repair transmission is about $4500 and a part must come from Nissan. Plus the radiator needs to be replaced and labor cost. Final bill is roughly $5000.

My insurance is denying any connection to the accident and basically hanging me out to dry. I didn't know about the class action law suit with Nissan or the transmission/radiator defects so I am assed out. I love my Frontier and put a lot of blood, sweat and tears (and money) into it. Not sure if I can bet on another Nissan, but at this point mine is toast!

- lauramatye, Boise, ID, US

problem #99

Sep 202013

Frontier Nismo 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have owned four Nissans and I would have to say that until this problem I really liked Nissan products. Now since I have had this problem on a manufacturer defect that Nissan knew existed, they can hang it up. I was going to drive my truck until it died or until I had the cash saved to buy a newer same make of vehicle, but that's not going to happen. I'm quite sure that Nissan has fixed this issue on newer models, however what if the next time it is a manufacturer's defect on the engine and this time instead of having to pay over $5600, I would have to pay $7500 or better.

I do know about anyone else but I don't have that kind of loot to throw away buying Nissan vehicles when they have proven to me that they aren't willing to stand behind their product and make right a major issue that was their own fault. You may save $5600 now Nissan, but you will lose much more than that over the course if the rest if my life when I no longer buy Nissan vehicles and also strongly discourage others to not but pay them. I don't know what business professionals made this decision compared to the tens of thousands. That's a no brainier but I guess not to those that truly have, "no brains"!

- jongnnc, Fayetteville, NC, US

problem #98

Jul 102013

Frontier SE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,992 miles

I have the same issue with the radiator fluid contaminating the transmission fluid. The radiator fluid has turned into a milky white color and my transmission is not shifting properly i.e. grinding and slipping. Just a matter of time before the transmission goes all together. I would definately never buy another Nissan again, and would definatley use social media to call out Nissan, unless they do whats right and fix the problem they have created.

- stevehughes, Calgary, AB, Canada

problem #97

Aug 182013

Frontier LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

This vehicle was always dealer serviced and babied. The truck still looks brand new. I feel a little vibration while driving and a little transmission slip while at a stop light this weekend. Goes to the dealer the next day. They tell me I need a new radiator and transmission and nothing covered under warranty. There was nothing wore out here. This was caused by a factory defect. A known factory defect. I still trying to decide if I should just part the damn thing out or try to get it fixed. Its totaled either way I do it.

Nissan....nope, never again. I even called Nissan North America, 1-800-NISSAN1, and they basically said go screw yourself. I'm not done with this. Not by a mile (which I'll now be walking).

Nissan...if you read this, I'm not done with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Larry M., Cape Elizabeth, ME, US

problem #96

Jun 152012

Frontier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

cooling system failed due to cross contamination of transmission fluid and coolant due to poor design of cooling/transmission systems.

- Rob T., Gravette, AR, US

problem #95

May 012012

Frontier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Caused by poor design of trans fluid running through radiator. Caused transmission and cooling systems to fail. Large expense.

- Rob T., Gravette, AR, US

problem #94

Jul 102013

Frontier LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

Son drove from Seattle to Montana. I received a call that the transmission was acting up so knowing there was an extension of the warranty I told him to take it to the nearest dealer (60 miles away). The dealer said the cooler failed and since it had a rebuild title (it was rear ended) it wasn't eligible for the extension. Had I known this I would have changed the radiator myself before he left. The dealer replaced the radiator for $1200 and flushed the trans twice. Now the trans is acting up and apparently we will have eat the cost of a new trans too ( the dealer wanted $6000 to replace both the radiator and trans. I also own another 05 nismo 6speed and will never buy another Nissan we just bought a new Ford Escape and I wouldn't even look at a Nissan SUV.

- Dennis M., Lake Stevens, WA, US

problem #93

Sep 042012

Frontier V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Transmission gave out after previously replacing radiator and flushing transmission. Because there are so many of these vehicles with this problem, repair shop is having difficulty locating computer module for the transmission. In the shop over a week now and having to pay for rental. Class action law suit is needed.

- Keith B., Cumming, GA, US

problem #92

Sep 242012

Frontier LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,000 miles

My complaint is that if Nissan corp new about the issues why didn't they do something about it. I was a huge fan of Nissan and was thinking about purchasing another but from the current research in trying to fix my truck I guess Nissan lot my business. I also own a Murano and was thinking about trading it in for a newer one . This experience has left me with going to a different make of a vehicle.

- Tony R., New Britain, CT, US

problem #91

May 252013

Frontier LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

Looks to be the same old story as everyone ELSE'S Nissan P/U...the classic "coolant in the transmission.." .mechanic estimates the cost of repairs to be around 4200.00. I'm wondering if it's too late to join the class action lawsuit to try to recoup the cost? Anyone with any info please let me know

- gabbyhag1965, Gainesville, GA, US

problem #90

Apr 022013

Frontier Nismo V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

In 2011 my Frontier experienced the defect of the transmission and radiator fluids mixing. I had the transmission and radiator replaced under the warranty extended by Nissan that was to resolve the problem. It took them almost a month to repair for a variety of excuses. The same problem is occurring again after two years and the Nissan Service Department at Autonation in Fort Lauderdale wants to charge me another $3,000 to fix something that was supposedly already repaired!

Is this problem going to occur every two years on this truck at $1,500 a year? To me that's robbery!

- Scott K., Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

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